Perth favourites but Hawks to fight: coach

Illawarra coach Rob Beveridge believes defending champions Perth Wildcats will start favourites in the upcoming best-of-five NBL grand final series but has promised the Hawks will give their heart and soul.

Thursday's stirring 106-98 away triumph in the semi-final series decider against the Adelaide 36ers catapulted Illawarra into their first grand final in seven years, which Beveridge acknowledges his side will start as underdogs against the loaded Wildcats when the series starts on Sunday.

"They (Perth) are playing with a really good swagger, particularly with Bryce Cotton and Casey Prather back to scoring 40-50 points between them," said Beveridge, who coached the Wildcats to the 2010 NBL title.

"We've got to try find a way of trying to slow that.

"They've got a bunch of veterans ... players in that team who have won several championships.